''Eucalyptus sclerophylla'', known as the scribbly gum, is a tree native to eastern Australia. Very similar to the related
Scribbly Gum (''E. haemastoma''), a better known tree. The best way of distinguishing the species is the smaller hemispherical to pear shaped gumnuts of ''Eucalyptus sclerophylla'', being 0.6 cm by 0.6 cm in size. Flower buds are also smaller. ''sclerophylla'' literally means ''hard leaf''. Both species have hard leaves, but Eucalyptus sclerophylla's leaves are particularly hard edged.
Occurring on the poorer sandstone soils in mid to high rainfall areas. Around
Sydney
Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...
it often occurs on the higher ridges, where the soil is drier and less fertile. It ranges north from
Jervis Bay
Jervis Bay () is a oceanic bay and village on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia, said to possess the whitest sand in the world.
A area of land around the southern headland of the bay is a territory of the Commonwealth of Australia ...
, to near the
Watagan district near
Newcastle Newcastle usually refers to:
*Newcastle upon Tyne, a city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England
*Newcastle-under-Lyme, a town in Staffordshire, England
*Newcastle, New South Wales, a metropolitan area in Australia, named after Newcastle ...
.
A small to medium-sized tree, up to 20 metres tall, usually seen around 6 metres tall. Smooth barked, with shedding bark of white or grey. Scribbles often found on the bark. Leaves 5 to 16 cm long, 2 to 4 cm wide. Almost a glossy green, on both sides of the leaf. White flowers form between November and February.
References
*
* A Field Guide to Eucalypts - Brooker & Kleinig volume 1,
page 124
*
Trees for New South Wales: A Handbook of Trees and Shrubs Suitable for Planting in N.S.W.'. The Commission; 1976.
{{Taxonbar, from=Q5405705
sclerophylla
Myrtales of Australia
Flora of New South Wales